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BucketFeet kicks back part of its profit to charity

March 8, 2011 | 9:36
am

There's something about casual shoes that make them ideal for charity. While TOMS is probably best known for its One for One program -- for every pair purchased, the company donates a pair -- a new shoe company called BucketFeet is also kicking something back to children's aid groups.

Among the organizations the Chicago maker of slip-ons supports is a musical instrument program for needy kids, a group that builds soccer fields and an arts program for homeless children.

BucketFeet was born when founders Aaron Firestein, 25, and Raaja Nemani, 28, met while volunteering in Buenos Aires. Nemani was attracted to the Vans slip-ons Firestein was wearing. Firestein is an artist who had drawn on his shoes "for the fun of it," he said.

Available online, the seven shoe designs currently offered by BucketFeet are all Firestein's. The plan is to eventurally broaden the line to feature other artists ' work from around the world.

"It all ties in to our motto: Buy a shoe, build a community," Nemani said. "Aaron and I met two years ago against all odds to form a sneaker business, so that's the community. We're trying to develop the art and show people things they haven't seen before."